Gerald DeArmond, 90

Gerald DeArmond, better known to most as Jerry or Papaw, peacefully left us on December 23, 2022 at the Hospice of Western Reserve in Westlake, Ohio. He will now be reunited with his beloved wife, Thelma.

Jerry was born June 15, 1932 to Gerald "Whitey" and Ruth DeArmond in Portsmouth, Ohio. Self-proclaimed as a terribly shy boy, he shed his shy ways after meeting the young, widow, Thelma Jean Puckett Reed in 1959. Marrying Thelma gave him instant family with two beautiful daughters. After that, Jerry never met a stranger and could hold his own telling stories with the rowdy and fun-loving Puckett family.

Jerry is also preceded in death by his parents and brother Paul "Podge" DeArmond. He is survived by his four daughters, Donna (Glynn) Staten, Linda (Sam) Preston, Sandy (Ray) Koch, Susan (AJ) Edwards, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Jerry graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1950. He then served in the Army, stationed in France and Germany during the Korean war. While in France he purchased an Indian motorcycle, shipped it to America and drove it from NYC back home to Portsmouth after being honorably discharged.

Jerry worked at Empire Detroit Steel in New Boston and then at the Piketon Uranium Enrichment Plant. After retiring from Martin Marietta, he spent his time building and flying remote control airplanes, traveling with Thelma and tinkering in his workshop.

For many years he attended Old Town United Methodist Church and Dry Run Christian Church.

Jerry moved to Avon Lake in 2019. As a resident of Independence Village, he quickly became a staff favorite and life of the party. He participated in most every activity showing off his dance moves or playing chair volleyball, ping pong, noodle balloon ball and trivia.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Pastor Richard Phillips officiating. Interment will be in Scioto Burial Park with military rites by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday starting at 10:00 AM. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.